Director of Pastoral Care

On Thursday the 31st of August we held the College Captain speeches and voting for 2018. Approximately 16 students presented why they wanted to lead the College and how much it would mean to them to do so. This was an amazing sight to see and an affirmation that once again we are guiding our students to be successful leaders that truly hold pride in our College. “I want to inspire, influence and impact” on the College community, “I will lead with or without a badge”, “honesty is what I uphold and is my best quality”. These were all phrases that were taken from their short 2 minute speeches. Another highlight was one of the students in spoke about good leaders creating more leaders. She put it to her peers that she wanted to represent a group of students who did not simply follow but a group of students who would lead. Wow! These was powerful words that brought the audience to applause in acclamation. One of the final speakers finished with asking the students to picture who they would like to be standing on stage in front of you? This question will not be an easy one to answer in the following days as the election process takes place. Every one of these candidates were impressive and a fine example of the Marian spirit. I congratulate all of those who participated and had the courage to speak their values in front of their peers. I encourage them all to continue to lead “with or without a badge”.

On Wednesday this week at student briefing we handed out 12 Marian All Star awards. Marian All Star Students need to demonstrate a personal best in any area either within or beyond the College. Any member of the College Community can nominate a worthy recipient. The Director of Pastoral Care prepares the All Star Award and presents it at a College Assembly. Students demonstrated excellence at the Leeton Eisteddfod, charitable donations and sporting achievements. One recipient of particular interest was Ioane Saula who is this weeks Marian Way feature below.

This term alone we have had over 100 nominations from staff and students. This is people striving to acknowledge the efforts of others. This is itself is a beautiful and positive aspect of our community.

Such efforts are a beacon for others here in our College and what they should aspire to. Another highlight of the assembly was when Mrs Hone stated that “kindness is a beautiful act that filters through the College” and I ended my address with this. I ask the students to think about how they influence the College community? I asked them to think about what would happen if the 700 staff and students here actively made an effort to positively improve the College every day with a single action. What would Marian be like in the future. They were challenged with this: Marian is your school! Try and make it a better place for everyone by making it better for you. They were then asked to do a small act of gratitude to their teachers after every lesson. This would be a great discussion starter with your kids, what were they asked to do? And how does it make our school better?

Thankyou for all those who attended the HSC information night last night also. These nights feature a particular focus on the pastoral wellbeing of students through their Academic journey and it was uplifting to see over 60 students and family members attend last night in support of each other. I cannot say this enough. What a great school we have!

I hope to see you all tomorrow at the Year 12 Spring Bazaar fundraiser…

The Marian Way

This week’s Marian Way feature is a student who received a Marian All Star this week and was nominated by a number of members of staff.

Ioane Saula had a very serious injury on the rugby field a little over 12 months ago to his leg. The injury was extreme with multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. This meant travelling between here and Sydney for operations also. Despite this, upon his return to the College with pins and braces extending from his leg and in a wheel chair for a period. Ioane has continued to face every challenge with a smile. He has stayed involved with his rugby club in the role of Team manager and has taken on new challenges - such as public speaking. Ioane leads by example and shows us that while things may not turn out how we expect sometimes, good things can come from a very bad situation. In the words of his Year Coordinator Ms Star “He shows true Marian spirit”.

He certainly does and congratulations because this week you are the proud example of the Marian Way.

Thank you Ioane and keep up the outstanding work.

Mr Heath Neville

Director of Pastoral Care (Acting)